Especean

Faith, Justice and Formation

Waverley College Ecology Symposium

On Thursday last week, Denzel Tan, Zachary Crisafulli, Nino Di Girolamo, Lachlan Wodson, Ryan Scullion and I, along with Ms Daley went to the inaugural Ecology Symposium at Waverley College. We went with the mission of expressing what we had learnt about climate change and its effect on the Pacific during our immersion to Fiji last holidays, and to learn from others.

 

The day was wonderful, beginning with an impassioned Welcome to Country by Uncle Dean Kelly, before a brief but powerful speech on the significance of First Nations culture and traditions, and its importance for us today, particularly with the issue of climate change plaguing the earth. Following this was Mr Geoff Lui, a Torres Strait Islander man who presented on the situation in his community, as the sea levels are so high that relocation is becoming a must. It particularly struck a chord when he mentioned the criminal justice taken against the Australian Government and others, as they haven’t been doing enough ecologically to prevent the rising sea levels on the island, because the Torres Strait Islander peoples don’t want to have to relocate to the mainland, though many have had to.

After this was a brief morning tea, followed by the St Patrick’s College presentation to the gathered community on the impacts of climate change in the Pacific. After an introduction by Ms Daley, Ryan began speaking about the Fijian Connection to the Land, commenting on the cultural, social and spiritual connection to the earth. After this I spoke about rising sea levels, commenting on the profound impact rising sea levels are having on Pacific Island Nations, using what I knew about how far the tide had encroached to highlight the impact. Then Lachlan spoke about coral reefs, discussing the beauty of the Fijian reefs, and the impact climate change and pollution has had on them, which we were able to view in our time snorkelling and cleaning up the reefs. Nino spoke on the extreme weather patterns in Fiji, particularly events such as Cyclone Winston, which impacted the Fijian communities, seeing migration inland by hundreds of villages. Denzel spoke on consumption and waste on the island, especially the prevalent issue we encountered with the widescale dumping of rubbish across the island, which eventually finds its way into the ocean, polluting the waterways. Denzel also discussed how the ‘donations’ Western countries often send can also often end up here, and the responsibility of sending appropriate materials lies on us as well. Lastly, Zachary spoke about education in Fiji, which we observed. From an early age children are taught about practises and ecological concepts surrounding sustainable living and agriculture, showing the emphasis placed by the Fijian government to ensure that the next generation are prepared to be drivers of change. Ms Daley finished by discussing global actions, with emphasis on leaders of Pacific nations taking climate change actions into their own hands to accomplish global change while condemning countries like Australia for their lack of action, and the responsibility of Australians to make a positive impact on global climate and ecology. 

 

After our presentation was MP for Wentworth, Ms Allegra Spender, speaking about what can be done for climate change, emphasising the importance of us as local citizens making our voices heard to parliament. Mr Costa Georgiadis spoke in length about the impact that the over 100 students and teachers in the room could have on climate change. What particularly resonated with me was Georgiadis’ comments on our role as consumers, ensuring that we are buying from the most responsible and sustainable companies possible in order to ensure that such action becomes industry wide, and that we are ultimately buying less, a theme that ran throughout the day. We learned how to write effective emails then had time to write on particular causes, we heard from the local NSW MP, Dr. Marjorie O’Neill, and Mr. Sam Guinness, environmental council member for the Waverley.

 

Final addresses were made, and we were gifted with two potted native plants from the region to plant back here at school. The day was fun and interesting, providing great perspectives on our responsibility as young people working for change. I am thankful for the experience, and keen to enact what I have learnt, into my life going forward. 

 

Roman Petrolo | Year 10 Student

SPC Christmas Appeal

Each year the St Patrick’s College community collects goods in homerooms to make Christmas Hampers for some of our justice partners. Today we officially launch the SPC Christmas Appeal and seek your help in acting swiftly to ensure families and individuals across Sydney who have little to nothing can enjoy a Christmas closer to ours, especially with the extra burdens due to increased prices. We realise this may also affect many of you, but hopefully we can see that others do it tougher and are able to give something.

 

We will be sending hampers through our partners at Catholic Care, St Vincent de Paul, St Merkorious and a women’s shelter for domestic abuse survivors (anonymous for protection). Each homeroom and Junior School class will be allocated a partner, with some suggestions for presents and goods. They will also be allocated to a family or several young people to make hampers for.

 

Please note the following regarding the Appeal:

  • ALL items are to be brought into homeroom by no later than Friday 29 November. (Please don’t bring in items the following week as most will already have been picked up.)
     
  • ALL items are to be new – NO used items.
     
  • Please do NOT gift wrap anything.  As lovely as they often look, they have to be opened to be checked. Please place in gift bags and/or supply a roll of wrapping paper.
     
  • Gifts are allocated based on who your son/s’ homeroom is collecting for – try to think of things you would really like for Christmas. Also consider a lack of resources to maintain something e.g. the cost of batteries.
     
  • Hampers include gifts and food/toiletry items. Each homeroom has a list of what is needed.

Hopefully we can make Christmas brighter for many and express our faith in action as Jesus said “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,… just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (Mt 25: 35, 40) Please try to encourage your sons to shop with you for anything so they can think about how fortunate they are, but also help you with tips on presents to buy for young people. What items bring you joy?? This is what we want.

 

Life is tougher than ever for more and more families and young people who have no families. You can help bring some light to their darkness this Christmas.

 

Thank-you and God bless you. 

SPC Festival of Carols and Readings – Save the Date

All are invited to the Festival of Carols on Wednesday 27 November at 6:30 PM in the College Chapel. Year 7 students will be part of this night, and all others are invited, but to ensure we have room in the Chapel we will be ticketing (free) the event. All people other than Year 7 students will need to get a ticket, available in next week’s Especean.

 

The evening is one of joy and community. It helps us enter the Advent season in the right frame of mind and it reminds us of the beauty in the world, while also praying for peace as we await the coming of the Prince of Peace. If you can make it, I strongly recommend it!

 

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity